Rope loop connection system for yachts

ABSTRACT

A connection system for Yachts comprising a lightweight rope loop ( 2 ) and a body part for connecting sheets, sails and blocks. A tensile connecting device comprises a high strength fiber rope with a first enlarged terminated end that is held captive in a second body part having a shoulder ( 59   a ) such that said elongated loop is slipped over said shoulder to form a quickly connected and disconnected tensile joining device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a simple, lightweight, connectionsystem for the connection of halyards and sheets to sails, ropes, andpulleys, and other items in a yacht using a high strength, elongate ropeloop in place of stainless steel cables. 2. Prior Art

[0003] Historically, halyards, sheets, ropes, pulleys, sails and otherparts were connected using various types of stainless steel shackles,swivels, and connectors, which are relatively complicated to manufactureand are modem yachts now generally employ much lighter constructionmethods than were extremely heavy, due to the inherent density of thestainless steel metal. The performance of a yacht, especially whilesailing, is extremely dependent on weight. Since used historically, aneed exists for a lighter, simpler method of making the myriadconnections used on a yacht. This need for lighter weight components isextremely important in sailing, especially on masts, fore, aft, and onthe lee side for connecting sheets, halyards, pulleys, etc, where weightcauses additional detrimental displacement when the yacht is heeled and“hobbyhorsing”, which results in a corresponding loss of performance.These detrimental effects can be significantly reduced by acorresponding reduction in the weight of connection fittings.

[0004] High tensile-strength braided ropes, including so-called superbraids made of KEVLAR, SPECTRA, and other similar materials arereplacing older ropes and stainless steel wire in high load applicationson yachts in order to reduce weight. The present invention utilizes suchhigh tensile braids in the form of a elongate loop which takes themajority of the tensile forces and can be combined with minimal weightconnector bodies capable of being made with aluminum or plastic, inorder to make the various connections on a yacht which are otherwisemade with stainless steel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide lightweightdevices for connecting various items in tension where the invention usesa high tensile-strength braided rope with its ends joined to form anelongated rope loop that replaces metal connectors.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide lightweight devicesfor connecting various items in tension where the two ends provide anend joint that is substantially larger in cross-sectional area than thecross section of the braided ropes.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a method ofmanufacture of an elongate loop connection device made from alightweight high strength fiber rope with it's ends rigidly joined toform a elongate loop with the joint being of substantially largercross-sectional area than that of the two rope cross sections that areso joined.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweighttensile connection device, which utilizes a high strength fiber elongaterope loop which is held captive in a rigid body to form a connectionfitting.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a device whichutilizes a high strength fiber elongate loop with an enlarged end jointwhich end joint is held captive in a rigid fitting where the elongateloop free end fits over a shoulder on the fitting to form a lightweighttension connector, and where this elongate looped rope is designed totake substantially all the tensile forces in the connector.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweightshackle where a high strength elongate looped rope is the primarycarrier of the load having one end captive and the other end passingover a shoulder on a connector body. The elongate loop is designed to beself-locking, easily fitted, and removed.

[0011] A further object of the invention is to provide a lightweightblock where a high strength elongate looped rope is the primary carrierof the connection load having one end captive and the other end passingover a shoulder on the body. A sheave rotates around the body and theelongate loop is designed to form an easily fitted, and removed,lightweight block connection.

[0012] A further object of the invention is to provide a lightweightswivel shackle where a high strength elongate looped rope is the primarycarrier of a first connection load having one end captive in and theother end passing over a shoulder on a rigid body. The body has acentral hole for the second connection around which the fitting is ableto rotate. The elongate loop is designed to be locking, easily fitted,and removed.

[0013] The inveniton provides a lightweight connection system foryachts, a tensile connecting device comprising an elongated rope loopformed from a rope having multiple fibers and having its free endsjoined together to form a joint such that the joint is of substantiallylarger diameter than that of said multiple-fiber rope. Said multiplefibers are separated for at least two times their diameter and infusedwith an adhesive to form at least one rigid potted joint, said pottedjoint forming at least one head substantially larger than the diameterof the multiple-fiber rope.

[0014] A method of forming an elongated rope loop for use with a secondpart as a lightweight connection device, comprises the stepsof:separating the fibers at each end of a multiple-fiber rope for alength of at least twice the diameter of the rope; placing the ends ofthe multiple-fiber rope in a mold; wetting the said separated fiberswith an adhesive material; and compressing the separated wetted fibersin the mold to form at least one enlarged head of substantially largercross sectional area than that of the rope.

[0015] A tensile connecting device comprises a high strength fiber ropewith a first enlarged terminated end that is held captive in a secondbody part to form an elongated rope loop; where said second body parthaving a shoulder such that said elongated loop is slipped over saidshoulder to form a quickly connected and disconnected tensile joining,device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an elongate rope loop with an enlargedend connection joint.

[0017]FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an elongate rope loop with the endfibers separated ready for potting.

[0018]FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of a connection device employing anelongate rope loop and a mounting plate with lock.

[0019]FIG. 3A shows an isometric view of an alternative connectiondevice to that of FIG. 3, employing an elongate rope loop and a mountingplate.

[0020]FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a lightweight shackle formedfrom an elongate rope loop and a second body in half section.

[0021]FIG. 4A shows a plan view of an alternative elongate rope loop endconnection.

[0022]FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a lightweight swivel shackleformed from an elongate rope loop and a second body in half section.

[0023]FIG. 6 shows an isometric, sectional view of an elongate ropeloop, forming a connector applied to a sheave rotating around a body toform a block.

[0024]FIG. 6A shows an isometric view of a rope connectable air blockassembly, which is shown in half section.

[0025]FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of a continuous elongate rope loop,tension connection device with a pin as the terminating means.

[0026]FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of an alternative connector to thatof FIG. 4, using the continuous elongate loop of FIG. 7.

[0027]FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of an alternative swivel connectorbody to that of FIG. 5.

[0028]FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of an alternative block andelongate rope loop connection system to that of FIGS. 6 and 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF The PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0029]FIG. 1 shows a typical elongated rope loop 2, according to thepresent invention, formed from a length of high tensile-strength braidedrope that has its free ends 4 a, 4 b brought together with the endfibers shown compacted. The end fibers at the free ends 4 a, 4 b arespread apart, glued, and compacted to form a rigid potted joint thatforms an enlarged head 8. The rope loop 2 has a diameter 12. Note thatthe head 8 has a diameter dimension 10 that is significantly larger thantwo rope diameters.

[0030] In FIG. 1, an optional tie 14 generically designates variousmeans for connecting together the sides of the rope loop 2 that have therespective free ends 4 a,4 b near a top portion 16 of the elongated ropeloop 2.

[0031] The invention uses a head 8 that can be formed as a single unitor formed in several sections, such as two halves, to achieve the sameeffect as a single unit.

[0032] The elongate rope loop 2 of FIG. 1 becomes a lightweight tensiondevice which can support tension loads in a longitudinal direction 20,if the enlarged head 8 is restrained along the line 22.

[0033]FIG. 2 shows an elongated rope loop 2 provided from a cut portionof high tensile-strength braided rope. Free end fibers 30 a ,30 b ofrespective the respective free ends are cut to a length 32, un-raveled,and spread, as illustrated. The length 32 of the free end fibers 30 a,is greater than twice the diameter 12 of the rope loop 2. The free endfibers 30 a ,30 b are coated with an adhesive and then compacted bymolding to form the rigid potted head 8, or sections of the head 8 ofFIG. 1.

[0034]FIG. 3 shows the elongated rope loop 2 of FIG. 1 being applied to,for example, a deck fitting, such as the plate 40 that is anchored to adeck with fasteners such as screws or bolts (not shown) that extendthrough location holes 42 a, 42 b in the plate 40. The plate 40 has acentral hole 44, which has a diameter slightly larger than the enlargedhead 8 and through which the enlarged head 8 is passed from above. Thecentral hole 44 has a smaller adjoining side slot 46. The elongated ropeloop 2 with its enlarged head 8 is held captive in the plate 40 in thesmaller adjoining side slot 46. The elongated rope loop 2 engages theside slot such that elongated rope loop 2 forms a connection device thatis loaded in tension in a direction shown by arrows 45 a and 45 b. Theplate 40 is primarily designed to fit below a deck or other surface butmay also be fitted above a surface.

[0035] A plug 49 is fitted into the central hole 44 and held in placeusing appropriate fasteners, such as screws or bolts that extend into anattachment screw hole 42 b. The plug 49 maintains the elongated ropeloop 2 in the slot 46. This forms a lightweight tensile connectionfitting in which the elongated rope loop 2 can be fitted or replacedfrom above the connection surface. It should be noted that the plate 40is designed to provide a lightweight elongated rope loop connection.

[0036] An alternative construction provides a second smaller adjoiningside slot 48 adjacent the central hole 44 and opposite the first smalleradjoining side slot 46. The second slot 48 is used if the elongated ropeloop 2 is formed with two separated heads as described above. In thatcase the plug 49 would separate the two legs of the elongated rope loop2.

[0037]FIG. 3A shows an alternative plate 41 to that of plate 40 of FIG.3, with a smaller central hole 43 that is smaller than the enlarged head(or heads) 8. In this alternative arrangement, the elongated rope loop 2is fitted from below. It should be noted that the plate 40 is designedto provide a lightweight elongated rope loop connection. A cover plate31 may be added to the plates 40, 41 of FIG. 3 or FIG. 3A to provide awatertight restraint for elongated rope loop 2 assembly.

[0038]FIG. 4 shows a connection assembly according to the presentinvention that includes a body 50 and an elongated rope loop 2. The body52, shown in half section for clarity, has a central hole 52 formedtherein and through which the elongate rope loop 2 passes. The centralhole 52 has a counter-bore 58 for receiving the enlarged head 8. Thediameter of the central, axial hole 52 is significantly smaller than theenlarged head 8 or multiple heads in order to restrain the enlarged head8.

[0039] The body 50 has a first circumferential groove 54 formed aroundthe body 50. Generally, a rope 64, shown dotted, is spliced, looped orotherwise contained in the groove 54 in the body 50.

[0040] A second circumferential groove 56 is formed in the body 50adjacent to the first circumferential groove 54. The top part of thegroove 56 has a first, top shoulder 59 a with a height 60. The top partof the groove 56 accepts the free, top end 2 a of the elongated ropeloop 2. The bottom portion of the groove 56 has a second, shoulder 59 bwith a height 62 that is greater than the height 60 of the top portionof the groove 56. The differences in the heights of the shoulders 59 a,59 b provides one way to capture the free, top end 2 a of the elongatedrope loop 2.

[0041] The connection assembly is lightweight, self locking, and isquickly attached and detached. The connection assembly uses theelongated rope loop 2 to connect a rope 64, shown dotted, and a secondpart. An arrow 78 indicates that a tensile load is applied between therope 64. An arrow 76 a indicates that a tensile load is applied by thesecond part.

[0042] The depth of the counter-bore 58 is such that a center 53 of theenlarged head 8 is positioned away from the groove 56 by a distance 55so that forces on the body 50 between the free end 2 a of the elongatedrope loop 2 a and the enlarged head 8 are compressive.

[0043] This arrangement allows for almost all of the connector assemblyloads to be taken in tension by the elongated rope loop 2 with itsenlarged head 8, with mostly compressive forces on the body 50.

[0044]FIG. 4 shows the free end 2 a of the elongated rope loop 2 in adetached position. As indicated by an arrow 66, the free end 2 a of theelongated rope loop 2 is attached to the body 50 by first engaging a tie14 in bottom of groove 56 shown at 14 a.placing the free end 2 a of theelongated rope loop 2 on the top shoulder 59 a. The free end 2 a of theelongated rope loop is be placed on shoulder by

[0045] The tie 14 and the two different shoulder heights 60 and 62provide a selflocking mechanism that allows the free end 2 a of theelongated rope loop 2 to be readily attached and detached using lanyard68 attached to the top of the free end 2 a. This self-locking mechanismwill not allow the elongated rope loop 2 to become unintentionallydetached by forces in, for example, a 76 b when loads are not tensileloads.

[0046] Tensile loading is shown by the rows 78 and 76 a. The firstcircumferential groove 54 and the second circumferential groove 56 arearranged so that distances 80 a and 80 b are approximately equal, sothat when tensile loads are applied along 78 and 76 a, approximatelyequal forces are taken by legs 82 a and 82 b of the elongated rope loop2. The top of the free end 2 a of the elongated rope loop 2 is locked inby the top shoulder 59 a of the circumferential groove 56.

[0047] If the load is reduced and the direction of the forces at thefree end 2 a of the elongated rope loop 2 changes to a direction that isrepresented by the arrow 76 b, as when fitting is used in a jib sheetwhich is flogging, the position of the tie 14 at the location 14 aprevents the free end 2 a of the elongated rope loop 2 from disengagingwith the top shoulder 59 a.

[0048] Using this self-locking mechanism, the free end 2 a of theelongated rope loop 2 can only be removed from the groove 56 over thetop shoulder 59 a with a height 60 by pulling upwards and out on thelanyard 68, which causes the tie 14 a to rise up into the lower portionof the second circumferential groove 56 so that free end 2 a of theelongated rope loop 2 can be disengaged and connection assembly opened.

[0049] A hole 70 in flange a flange 54 a of the body 50 is providedadjacent to the lower portion of the first circumferential groove 54 sothat elongate legs 82 a and 82 b can be whipped with twine 72 to retainthe enlarged head 8, the elongated rope loop 2, and the body 50 in aself- locking orientation as described above.

[0050] Alternatively, for the tie 14 are shown dotted at 74 a and 74 btwo ends of an alternative VELCRO tie which are wrapped around the body50 in a direction 84 to retain the free end 2 a of the elongated ropeloop 2 in position over the top shoulder 59 a.

[0051]FIG. 4a shows a knotted end 9 of an elongated rope loop 2, can besubstituted in place of potted joint provided by the enlarged head 8.

[0052]FIG. 5 shows an assembly of a quickly attached and detached,lightweight, locking, rope connector assembly according to the presentinvention. This assembly is similar in operation to illustrated in FIG.4, except that it is designed to swivel. A body 90, as shown a halfsection for clarity, has a through-hole 94 counter-bored at 95 to acceptan elongated rope loop 2 and an enlarged head 8 with the through hole 94significantly smaller than a counter bore 95 to retain the enlarged head8. Opposite the through-hole 94 is formed a shoulder groove 92. Anotherthrough-hole 96 is provided approximately centrally between through-hole94 and the groove 92. The groove 92 has top shoulder with a height 98 asmaller than a bottom height 98 b. A hole 97 is provided so thatwhipping can be applied around the two legs of the elongated rope loop22 legs and the hole 97 to retain the enlarged head 8 in thecounter-bore 95.

[0053] When the top 2 a of the elongated rope loop top 2 is positionedon shoulder 92, as described above, tensile loads can be applied in adirection 102 through the central hole 96 on one side and aroundelongate loop legs at a point 104 on the other side. Since the centralhole 96 is approximately equally positioned between hole 94 and groovedshoulder 92, loads are taken equally by elongate loop legs at 106 a and106 b. Distances 108 a and 108 b are also equal and the assembly is inequilibrium, as illustrated, when the top 2 a of the elongated rope looptop is locked into the top shoulder groove 92 and the connector isloaded in tension, as described.

[0054] Alternatively, a load in a direction 102 can be applied to thebody 90 through hole 96 by a rope 116, as shown by dotted lines. Rope116 has an enlarged knotted, potted or otherwise termination head 118 toact as a stop, enabling the rope 116 loaded in the direction 102 toswivel in relation to the connector body 90 and a bottom load 104.

[0055] A pin 110 with an enlarged head 112 has an attachment hole 114.Pin 110 is designed to have a clearance fit in hole 96 in lieu of rope116 and enables the body 90 to swivel in relation to pin 114 when fittedand when connector is loaded. Pin 110 fits in the hole 96 such that itshead 112 is in position of dotted head 118. This enables a rope to beapplied through hole 114 and be loaded in direction 102.

[0056] It should be noted that the enlarged head 8 in this embodimentand other embodiments may be made in two separate halves as shown bydotted line 18.

[0057]FIG. 6 illustrates how the connector concept of FIG. 4 can bemodified by the addition of a sheave 120 to provide a block assembly,shown in half section for clarity. Body halves 121 a and 121 b togetherwith a shaft 122 form an assembly in which an elongated rope loop 2 andits enlarged head 8 are retained. A hole 123 accepts the legs of theelongated rope loop 2 while a counter bore 125 accepts an enlarged head8 to form a elongate rope loop connector identical in operation to thatof the elongate rope loop connector of FIG. 4.

[0058] Body halves 121 a and 121 b are connected via a hollow shaft 122,which is riveted on each end as in 122 a. Shaft 122 has enlargeddiameter at 122 b which together with side washers 126 a and 126 b holdcaptive sheave 120 which is free to rotate around shaft 122. Since mostof the load is taken in tension, as shown by arrows 130 and 132, by theelongated rope loop 2, the enlarged head 8 and shaft 122, side pieces121 a and 12 1 b can be made of plastic. The only metal in the assemblyis shaft 122 and washers 121, hence the assembly becomes a lightweightblock, with self-locking rope loop quick connect or disconnect action.As in the previous connector of FIG. 4, this assembly is designed suchthat the distances 130 a and 130 b of the legs of the elongated ropeloop 2 leg are approximately equal, so that when loads are applied at132 and 130, they are equally taken by the elongated rope loop 2 so thatthe sides and block are in equilibrium.

[0059] As in body 50 of FIG. 4, a counter-bore 125 positions the centerof the enlarged head 8 sufficiently to the left of groove 124 so that,when loaded, forces in side 121 a between the top of the elongated rope2 and the enlarged head 8 are compressive.

[0060] The legs of the elongated rope loop 2 pass through slots 128 aand 128 b in extended sides 121 a and 121 b. The slots retain the legsof the elongated rope loop 2 legs in position on lower extensions ofsides 121 a and 121 b. When tensile load is applied to the block via theelongated rope loop 2, shown by arrows 130 and 132, the compressionforces of the legs of the loop 2, shown by arrows 129 a and 129 b, aretaken by member 133 so that sheave is not pinched under these side loads129 a and 129 b and can operate smoothly even under full load.

[0061] As in FIG. 4, the top 2 a of the elongated rope loop sits in ashoulder groove 124 which together with unequal groove depths at top 70,bottom 72 ,and tie 14 form an easily removed and replaced, but selflocking, lightweight arrangement for attaching a block.

[0062] It should be noted that knot 9 of FIG. 4A can replace the pottedjoint of the enlarged head 8, which is substantially larger than theshaft 122 hole 123 so as to restrain head under load. It should also benoted that the enlarged head 8 of FIG. 1, can be formed in two piecesshown as dotted joint 18. It should be further noted that multiplesheaves may also be used in place of single sheave 120. It should alsobe noted that side slots 128 a and 128 b may be formed by separatepieces to sides 121 a and 21 b.

[0063]FIG. 6A shows an embodiment of a construction of the conceptaccording to the present invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, that isapplied to an air-block with a hollow center. An air-block assembly ofFIG. 6A is identical in concept and operation to the rope loopconnection system of block of FIG. 6 and hence is shown without theelongated rope loop 2 and the enlarged head 8 of FIG. 4. It should benoted that in the block of FIG. 6A and in all the enclosed examples, itis preferred that the elongated rope loops be easily removable andfitted by maintaining a clearance fit between the legs of the elongatedrope loops and the top end, or heads, of the elongated rope loops andtheir respective bores, so that if an elongate rope loop wears it can bereplaced.

[0064] The assembly of FIG. 6A is shown in half section for clarity withbody halves 142 a and 142 b respectively shown being able to be boltedtogether through screw holes, one of which is depicted at 162. A blockis shown with inner race 152 for roller bearings, which are not shownbut fit in spaces 148 and 150.

[0065] A single sheave 146 is shown, but as in block of FIG. 6 multiplesheaves could be used in place of single sheave 146. A hole 146 for thelegs of an elongated rope loop 2 legs is shown at 140 and counter-boredrecess for head at 144. Diameter 144 is significantly larger than hole140 to retain head 8, when fitted, under load. Top shoulder grooveportion 158 and bottom groove portion 160 vertical center are shownpositioned to the left of the position of center of head recess 144. Theshoulder groove 158 top portion height being smaller than bottom portionheight of groove 160 so as to provide self locking means as described inthe connector of FIG. 4 if used in conjunction with a correctlypositioned tie 14 of the elongated rope loop 2, both of which areillustrated in FIG. 4. Also shown are side openings 154 a and 154 b forlocation of the legs of the elongated rope loop 2 and a compression bar156 to prevent loaded side pressure impinging on sheave 146.

[0066]FIG. 7 shows a continuous elongated rope loop 222 with a pin 220.This continuous elongated rope loop 222 can be used to replace theelongated rope loops 2 in the bodies of FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 6A . Thepin 220 acts as a restraining means on loop 222 in place of the enlargedhead 8 of FIG. 1.

[0067]FIG. 8 shows an isometric view for an alternative construction ofelongated rope loop connector of FIG. 4 in which a bobbin 170 has threegrooves, including a center groove 172 and outer grooves 174 a and 174b, respectively, spaced equally about the center groove 172. Acontinuous fiber elongated rope loop 176, with or without a joint, ispermanently affixed to the groove 174 a via a sewn tie 178, or othermeans. The other free end 176 a of the elongated rope loop 176 has anelastic, or otherwise, sleeve 180 positioned so that the end of theelongated rope loop end 176 a can be slipped over shoulder groove 174 bbut will not disengage unless a lanyard 184 is pulled. This arrangementforms an easily fitted or removed lightweight elongated rope looptension connector when a load shown by arrow 182 is applied through theelongated rope loop at 183 and around groove 172.

[0068]FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of an elongated rope loop shacklebody 190 having shoulder grooves 192 a and 192 b that are respectivelyspaced equally about a central through hole 194. This body 190 is analternative to the body 170 of FIG. 8, and is designed to receiveelongated rope loop assembly 176 of FIG. 8 where the elongate rope loop176 operates in exactly the same manner with body 190 as with body 170of FIG. 8. One side of the load shown by arrow 193 is applied throughcentral hole 194, as in load 102 of FIG. 5, in order that the loadedbody 190 is free to swivel about 194 when loaded in tension in direction193.

[0069]FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of a block according to thepresent invention where the elongated rope loop 2 of FIG. 1 has beensubstituted by the continuous elongate rope loop 176 of FIG. 7, withouta pin 220. The block of FIG. 10 has identical side plates 200 a and 200b, each having a shoulder groove 202 a and 202 b respectively upon whichthe end of an elongated rope loop 176 sits. The elongated rope loop 176is fixed to shoulder groove 202 b via a sewn tie 204. As in theelongated rope loop 2 of FIG. 6, the free end of the elongated rope loop176 a passes through slots 208 a and 208 b. Operation of the free end ofthe elongated rope loop 176 a is identical to that of FIG. 8 with regardto engaging and disengaging shoulder and groove 202 a, to form a quicklyengaged and disengaged lightweight block with tensile loads taken by theelongated rope e loop at 210 and sheave 206 in direction 212. Shaft 203through the center of the sheave 206 passes under grooves 202 a and 202b so that tensile loads from elongate loop tops engaging grooves 202 aand 202 b transfer forces to sheave 206 by mostly compressing top ofgrooves 202 a and 202 b. As in FIGS. 6 and 6A, a compression member 198is provided against side loads from loop 176 legs when loaded. It shouldbe noted that an opening could be made in side 200 a at 213 and also inthe sides of the blocks of FIGS. 6 and 6a to enable the blocks to act assnatch blocks.

[0070] The elongated rope loop connection means shown in the aboveexamples are not limited only to those examples. Each of the elongateloop retention security means shown above could be used in many of theother examples. It should be noted that although the primary connectionand termination of ropes in the foregoing is by potting, it should beunderstood that alternative methods of terminating and joining such asswaging, crimping or fusing can be employed. It should also be notedthat although the elongated rope loops with a single turn are employedin the above, multiple turns are also possible. It should also be notedthat the concept disclosed is not meant to be complete or define aparticular model or limit the concept or application in any way.

[0071] From the foregoing, it should be readily evident, that there hasbeen provided a significantly improved simple lightweight method ofmaking the various connections of halyards sheets ropes to sails, blocksand other attachment points on yachts using a high strength elongatedrope loop.

1. A method of providing a lightweight tensile connection system,comprising: infusing the fibers of at least one end of a high-strength,multi-fibered rope with a glue; and compressing said at least one end ofthe high-strength, multi-fibered rope until the glue has set to form arigid, potted head having a substantially larger cross sectional areathan the cross-sectional area of said a high-strength, multi-fiberedrope; thereby terminating at least one end of the high strengthmulti-fibered rope to form an enlarged, compacted head that is adaptedto be retained in a body to facilitate a tensile connection to saidhigh-strength, multi-fibered rope.
 2. The method of claim 1 including:similarly infusing, compressing, and terminating a second end of thehigh-strength, multi-fibered rope to form another rigid, potted head;restraining both ends of the high-strength, multi-fibered rope in thebody to form a rope loop, which rope loop is adapted to provide atensile connection to a second body.
 3. A tensile connection device,comprising: a high-strength, multi-fibered rope with two enlarged endsthat are held captive in a first body to form an elongate rope loop;said elongate rope loop adapted to being connected to a second body;said first body having a shoulder over which said elongate rope loop isslipped to form a quickly connected and disconnected tensile connectionbetween said first and second bodies.
 4. The device of claim 3 includinga restraint for holding the elongate rope loop in engagement with saidshoulder of said first body and for preventing disengagement with saidshoulder of said first body.
 5. The device of claim 3 wherein the firstbody has a swivel attachment hole formed therethrough for swivelattachment of a first item to the body to thereby enable said first bodyto rotate with respect to the first item while the elongate rope loop isconnected to the second body.
 6. A connection system for connectingfirst and second objects under tensile load, comprising: a body having acentrally placed hole, having first and second external grooves locatedat least partially circumferentially around said centrally place hole;said first groove adapted to receive a rope connected to the firstobject; an elongated rope loop that passes through said centrally placedhole and that has one enlarged end thereof being retained by saidcentral hole; and a free second end of the elongated rope loop connectedaround the second object and in the second groove to form a connectionbetween said first object and said second object.
 7. A rope loopconnection system and block assembly for securing a block to a seconditem, comprising: a block assembly having at least one sheave that isadapted to having a sheave load rope connected thereto; an elongate ropeloop having an enlarged first end that is restrained by said blockassembly; a second free end of said elongate loop that is connected tosaid second item and over a shoulder in a side piece of said blockassembly to provide a quickly attached and detached tensile connectionblock.
 8. In a lightweight tensile loadable, removable, connectionsystem, connecting two items A and B under load, comprising: aconnection body; means for connecting load A to said connection body; atleast one shoulder integral with said connection body and locatedadjacent to said load A connection means; an elongate rope loop withterminating means at one end that is restrained by said connection body;means for restraining a free end of said elongate rope loop on saidshoulder; and said free end of said elongate rope loop capable offitting through said second load item B and over said shoulder toprovide a removable, tensile, load, connection between parts A and B.